Mr. Blakley

Today began like almost any other Tuesday morning does for me. I was in the midst of getting ready for school when the phone rang. I noticed that the Caller ID read that it was my friend Abbey was calling. I answered and she asked if one of my parents were home. She told me that her dad (Mr. Blakley, one of the science teachers at my school) didn’t show up at school this morning, and she wanted to know if someone could go chick on him. I noticed a sense of panic in her voice, as could be expected for that situation. Of all mornings, my mom, who hardly ever works on weekdays, was at work, as was everyone else in my family, and the other neighbors, for that matter. Abbey also told me that her Uncle David was there and had called an ambulance, but she wanted someone else to go check on him. She decided to call Mr. Ott (one of the school secretaries) to go check on Mr. Blakley.


Fast-forward about thirty minutes…

I was driving to school, and when I got on the blacktop, I saw a Douglas fire truck headed back to the station. I had a constant stream of thoughts running through my mind at that point. I thought that maybe he had a heart attack or something of that sort. My mind was restless, though, with the unknown. A few minutes later I pulled into the parking lot at school. My mind was still wandering about what could have possibly happened. I gathered my things, and proceeded to walk inside. As I entered the building, I saw everyone leaving the gym. The thought hit me. Everyone was quiet…too quiet. It couldn’t possibly be…I found a girl in my grade, and asked her what was going on. She looked at me. I knew it. It wasn’t until she told me, “Mr. Blakley died this morning,” that I lost it. I couldn’t believe it. My mind raced back to Abbey’s call. I thought about Debra. I thought about Abbey. I thought about Able. I thought about Audra, and especially Zane. The only thing I could think was, “No, no, NO, this can’t possibly be happening. This isn’t real. How? WHY? It’s not right. WHY?! He’s my neighbor, my teacher, a husband, brother, father, grandfather…WHY?” The hallways, although full, were silent. The only noise came from various sniffles, sobs, and just people shuffling around. There was emptiness about the school. Hardly anyone spoke. People were just sitting, comforting each other, hugging, crying on shoulders, sitting in silence and disbelief. I was beside myself just thinking about how his family had to have been taking the news. I called my mom and told her. And the band room, usually loud with the cacophony of people warming up their horns, was silent. We played our scales, and no matter what we played, it seemed quite melancholy. The rest of the day went by, and it just seemed different.


Today I saw a different side of many people. Many people I would have never expected. People were affected in ways I never thought that they could be affected. Everyone had something to say about it. Most people posted something on their Facebook wall. My thoughts can’t be contained into that small of a space, so here they are. I have known Mr. Blakley ever since I can remember. He was my neighbor, but he was also like a father to me. He was my bus driver in my younger years. I remember one instance when he, the Gabriel boys, and I went on a quest to find Yucca plants in the ditch, and yes, we succeeded in the venture. I remember him always being there when I went over to his house to take guitar lessons from Debra. Most of all, I remember him being at school. I have seen him almost every day of school for the past six years. I remember the quirky things he always said to us. For example, “Hey, Mr. Blakley, What’s up?” “The opposite of the pull of gravity.” I remember making gold and silver pennies. (I still have those, by the way.) I remember making ice cream. What I remember most, though, is how much of a loving, caring man he was. From his family, to his friends, to his students, he cared about each and every one of them. I don’t really recall ever hearing him say anything bad about anyone, either. Everyone who came into contact with him knew how nice and caring he was. He was very passionate about his career. He was a brilliant man, probably one of the most intelligent people I have ever known. He always looked out for others. There’s really nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said. That isn’t by any means a bad thing. Everyone has the same thoughts. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him will most definitely miss him.

To all of the Blakley family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot even imagine the sense of loss you are experiencing at the moment. I’m not very good at saying the right thing to cheer someone up, but I am a shoulder to cry on, if nothing else. Whatever it is that any of you may need, let me know, and I’ll be there however I can be. I love you all, and my heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Always remember that the Hladik family is right down the road, or a phone call, wall post, etc. away.


I believe that Mr. Norton summed it up the best out of everyone:

“Mr. Blakley’s life was at Pioneer. He has spent all but about ten years of his life away from Pioneer. The five years before he began school, and the five years he was in college. Other than that, he has been at Pioneer. He was very dedicated to his job. He loved his family more than anything. He deeply cared about his students. It just won’t be the same without him.”

Here’s to you, Mr. B.!